This afternoon the House passed the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (H.R. 2353) with broad bipartisan support. The bill is an updated version of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act, which provided federal funding and support for Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs on the state and local level. The Perkins bill has unfortunately been left unauthorized for over a decade. As we look at a rapidly approaching gap in our skilled workforce, reinvestment in programs that provide training and education is more important than ever. Last Congressional Session, the House passed a similar bill but the Senate failed to take the issue up. IMA-NA supports the passage of H.R. 2353 and the federal commitment to multiple pathways to education. The bipartisan H.R. 2353 focuses on investment in future generations of the US workforce in four main ways:

Empowers state and local community leaders by simplifying the application process for receiving federal funds and providing more flexibility to use federal resources to respond to changing education and economic needs.

Improves alignment with in-demand jobs by supporting innovative learning opportunities, building better community partnerships, and encouraging stronger engagement with employers.

Increases transparency and accountability by streamlining performance measures to ensure CTE programs deliver results, empowering parents, students, and stakeholders with a voice in setting performance goals and evaluating the effectiveness of local programs.

Ensures a limited federal role by reining in the Secretary of Education’s authority, limiting federal intervention, and preventing political favoritism.

Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC), chairwoman of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, and Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) issued the following statements upon passage of H.R. 2353 this afternoon:

“Far too many Americans have difficulty accessing the education and skills needed to build a promising career and successful future," Rep. Thompson said. "Jobs are going unfilled as employers face a shortage of skilled workers. Stronger career and technical education programs are exactly what this country needs to prepare our workers for the demands of a 21st century economy and meet the needs of employers. Today, we have handed a win to the American worker. This bipartisan bill puts America on the right path to closing the skills gap and sets our workers up for a future of success.”

“All education is career education," Chairwoman Foxx said. "Our nation’s career and technical education programs prepare many Americans to enter the workforce with the skills they need to succeed, and help close our nation’s skills gap. This bipartisan bill opens the door for more innovation in workforce development with the help of community leaders, educational institutions, and private business. We must continue to promote demand-driven workforce development that aligns education with the needs of employers who are anxious to hire American workers.”

The Industrial Minerals Association - North America (IMA-NA) has welcomed two new members to the team for summer internships. We would like to introduce RJ Alpers and Anselme Subtil to IMA-NA members.

RJ recently graduated summa cum laude from St. John's University (MN) with degrees in political science and Hispanic Studies. Last summer RJ interned in Washington, D.C., for Congressman Tim Walz (MN-1), and enjoyed the experience so much that he decided to move back to the area upon graduation. During his time at IMA-NA, RJ hopes to contribute to the team’s continued success by attending numerous legislative and regulatory meetings with IMA-NA staff, aiding in research, making professional contacts, and by assisting on a variety of other vital tasks.

At St. John’s, RJ played baseball, performed in 2 of the university’s comedy groups, and was a student senator. When he is not working hard at his internships, he loves running and performing standup comedy. Though now a proud member of the District; RJ is originally from Avon, Minnesota, where his parents Bob and Elli have lived for almost 30 years. Moving forward, RJ plans to enjoy his internship, attend law school, and take advantage of every opportunity afforded to him.

Anselme, originally from Sézanne (France), has been attending the Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina for three years, and will receive the traditional ring of his, soon to be, Alma Mater in October. After a long experience of boarding schools and rigid discipline, he hopes to enter the sphere of politics in Washington, D.C. Anselme was invited by, Citadel alum, Darrell Smith to participate in 10 weeks of association life to learn, serve, and represent the industrial minerals industry. In just a week, Anselme and RJ have already contributed to the Association by supporting the research necessary for the drafting of IMA-NA’s CERCLA 108(b) comments. Additionally, Anselme has participated in lobbying visits to maintain the percentage depletion allowance in the tax code.

Outside of his internship Anselme is an avid reader of classical literature and philosophy, to better prepare himself for the life of a public servant, to which he aspires. Upon graduation he will return to D.C., and work to begin a career in the association world, or in the legislative branch, while pursuing a Master’s degree.

IMA-NA is pleased to welcome these two spectacular new interns for the summer of 2017. Staff is looking forward to working with RJ and Anselme as they learn about our industry and the public policy process.

As you know, 2018 marks the 10th anniversary of European Minerals Day and the 3rd for North American Minerals Day. Staff for both IMA-Europe and IMA-NA developed the program as a way to spread awareness of the industrial minerals industry through member hosted events. European Minerals Day takes place in September, a month before the target week of October 8th for North American Minerals Day. We are beginning the process of planning events across Europe and North America. Join us on June 13th at 1:00pm EDT for a webinar to learn about the program and how you and your company can get involved.

Please join us for June's First Friday's Ask IMA today, June 2nd at 1:00pm EST. IMA-NA staff will update members on ongoing legislative and regulatory issues, including percentage depletion, CERCLA 108(b), and the recently released full Presidential budget. In addition to updating members on lobbying efforts and issues of concern for the industry, staff will also be discussing the upcoming 3rd Annual North American Minerals Day and our partnership with IMA-Europe for the 10th Annual European Minerals Day.

This morning, the House Education and Workforce Committee voted to pass the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (HR 2353) with unanimous bipartisan support. The bill reauthorizes and updates the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act (Perkins Act), which provides federal support to state and local career and technical education programs. HR 2353 is nearly identical to legislation passed by the full House during the 114th Congress, HR 5587. During the Committee markup of the bill, both Republican and Democrat alike focused on the need to provide for educational resources to provide individuals opportunities outside the 4 year bacalaureat programs. Almost every Committee member cited the growing skills gap, the existence of high paying jobs in traditional industries, and greater individual choice as incentives to reauthorize and update the Perkins Act. Additionally, the Committee sees this legislation as a step forward in providing for programs built through stakeholder collaboration that are reactive to the needs of industry in the United States. HR 2353 will need to pass the full House before moving to the Senate, as of now a vote is expected some time in June.

As with years past, IMA-NA signed onto a letter supporting the reauthorization of the Perkins Act. The letter has a broad array of signatories that demonstrate the scope of this legislation. The letter is attached below.

Last week, IMA-NA and other members of the Minerals Science and Information Coalition (MSIC or Coalition) submitted written testimony to the record about the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee's (ENR) hearing: to examine the United States’ increasing dependence on foreign sources of minerals and opportunities to rebuild and improve the supply chain in the United States. The Coalition, made up of minerals and materials interest groups, was established to push for increased investment in minerals science, particularly as it relates to federal funding for the U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) National Minerals Information Center (NMIC) and Minerals Resources Program (MRP). Thus far in the new Congress there have been a House and Senate hearing focused on the importance of a domestic mineral supply chain. MSIC's testimony applauded the Senate ENR Committee for exploring the U.S.'s supply chain, the current pressures on domestic production, growing reliance on imports, and the importance of minerals to every aspect of modern society. The Coalition additionally, offered support for the reintroduction of last sessions American Mineral Security Act, S.883. If the two hearings are any indication the 115th Congress is beginning to express an interest in better understanding the mining industry, which is reminder of the importance in MA-NA members telling their story.

The start of 2017 will bring many changes to U.S. government, as the 115th Congress begins and the Trump Administration moves into the White House. As with any change in governance, there will be opportunities to influence the direction of our new legislators and regulators and the country. In addition to the higher profile issues IMA-NA and NISA work on, IMA-NA will continue its work on behalf of minerals science and information funding in 2017. IMA-NA will work through the Minerals Science and Information Coalition (MSIC) to restore funding for the important work of the Mineral Resource Program (MRP) at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The MRP has a long and distinguished history of research and assessment of our nation’s mineral resources and IMA-NA maintains it is vital that we invest in understanding our domestic resources to build and maintain resilient supply chains. Congress and the Administration need to understand the contributions of minerals to the U.S. and global economy.

IMA-NA is fortunate to have a good working relationship with the USGS staff in the MRP and we are saddened to learn of the impending retirement of Larry Meinert from his role as Program Coordinator of the Mineral Resources Program in the new year.

This Program Coordinator role provides the scientific vision and leadership to the MRP and as such is an important representative for minerals science in our government. USGS is currently accepting applications to fill Larry’s position. The timeline is short, but IMA-NA would invite our members to check out the listing and circulate it to any industry friends who might be interested.

Tomorrow, December 6th, is National Miners Day. Designated by Congress in 2009, December 6th, is marked as a day of commemoration and appreciation for the more than 350,000 miners whose work allows for our modern lifestyles. As IMA-NA members are aware, the mining industry goes largely unrecognized by the wider public for the enormous contributions to the global economy and community. National Miners Day is a wonderful opportunity in the United States to recognize your workforce and the miners whose hard work underpins so much of our modern world.

IMA-NA and our staff would like to take the opportunity to extend appreciation and gratitude for our Producer Members and their workforce. Furthermore, we would like to encourage IMA-NA members to share that tomorrow is National Miners Day with their employees, post to social media, or simply highlight your contributions to your community throughout the day tomorrow.

This week marks the 2nd Annual North American Minerals Days, a continuation of IMA-NA's partnership with IMA-Europe to broaden awareness of industrial minerals, the industry, and the role our members play in creating and supporting our modern lifestyles. This year, in addition to continuing to partner and support the efforts of Earth Science Week, Kaolin Festival, and the Georgia Marble Festival, IMA-NA members are hosting a variety of events.

Tomorrow, October 12th, KaMin and Imerys will be hosting an all day event highlighting the Kaolin industry and their culture of safety. We'll be welcoming Assistant Secretary of MSHA, Joe Main, to tour a mine and participate in a Safety luncheon with EHS representatives from across the state of Georgia. In addition to Joe Main, Congressman Jody Hice (GA-10) and representatives from the state and local governments will be participating in the activities. The Kaolin event is also being supported by Georgia Mining Association and promises to provide an excellent opportunity for IMA-NA members to interact with their legislators and regulators.

Across the country, in Nevada, Tronox will be hosting Congressman Joe Heck for a tour and discussion. Tronox's event is demonstrative of the type of relationship building opportunities presented during election years. Continuing to tell the story of the positive economic and community impacts of your businesses is especially important at the district and state level, where legislators can interact with your employees and their constituents.

We're pleased by the expansion of the Minerals Days and believe any opportunity to educate individuals, both in government and in our communities, about our industry is productive in continuing to tell the story about the importance of mining in North America.

Please join us this Friday, September 2nd for First Friday - Ask IMA at 1:00 EST. As our last Ask IMA before our Annual Meeting, we'll be discussing numerous topics of importance some of which will also come up at the meeting. Amongst those topics we'll provide updates on the EPA's proposed rule on CERCLA 108(b), the ongoing project to update NISA's Dust Control Handbook, MSHA activities related to the proposed rulemaking on examination of working places in Metal-Non Metal mines, North American Minerals Days and Congressional engagement, our program for the Annual Meeting, and other issues IMA-NA staff has been working on this summer. Join us for an update on our activities as your association and to have any questions you may have answered.